British veteran sues Russia after being ‘starved, beaten and tortured’ by Vladimir Putin’s forces in Ukraine

TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Mr Pinner told The Sun: This is to right a wrong, not just for me but for all those who have suffered at the hands of Russia.Vladimir Putin ignored the ruling in Kyiv and refuses to pay a single penny - so we’re going after him in London.If we win, it will set a legal precedent that would allow Ukrainians to seek redress and compensation for physical and mental torture.It would effectively open the floodgates for compensation into the billions.This won’t replace people or property. Some people have lost both.But financial compensation would enable those left behind to rebuild their shattered lives.Court papers titled Shaun Pinner vs The Russian Federation are set to be lodged shortly.Mr Pinner was captured after the fall of Mariupol in April 2022, where he was hooded and transported to a prison in Donetsk.LATEST IN UKRAINE:Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine 'turning to cannibalism' amid low food suppliesPrince Harry sends direct message to Vladimir Putin and issues Ukraine rallying cry in KyivBritain set to enter talks on joining EU’s £78bn Ukraine loan in bid to deepen defence ties with blocWhile he was holed up there, he said guards poked him with a cattle prod and told him to prepare for his death.Mr Pinner, alongside fellow Briton Aiden Aslin and Moroccan Saadoun Brahim, were given death sentences at a show trial in Donetsk's Supreme Court.He was spared, however, thanks to a prisoner exchange in September 2022 which was facilitated by Roman Abramovich, the former Chelsea owner and Russian oligarch.John Harding, another British Army veteran freed in the exchange, told reporters at the time he did not recognise the former Premier League owner until Mr Pinner pointed him out.He said: Shaun said: 'You really look like Roman Abramovich' and he replied, 'That's because I am him, sir'. He couldn’t believe it.I joked that Shaun is a West Ham fan and we all laughed.Mr Pinner has been granted an Order of Courage by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, for selfless acts in the defence and sovereignty of Ukraine.An estimated 20,000 foreign volunteers have served or are currently serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, according to research.This represents about two per cent of the total strength of Ukraine's military force. Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter